22.7.2026 Wednesday - Sarawak Day

 

21.7.2026 Tuesday - K2 is approved

 

20.7.2026 Monday - 59th birthday

 

19.7.2026 Sunday - Lady with a Parrot

 

18.7.2026 Saturday -

 

17.7.2026 Friday - the appetite comes with the eating.

Sean and I are faced with a niggling site issue for a house project yesterday, so the best thing is to do today is to meet the builder on site. As with most of these issues, it is a matter of confirmation and reassurance - we will issue some drawings to record the missing details.

I am still feeling unwell. I had planned to return home to sleep but decided to go to the office. At the office, Fiona asked if I would join them at the hotel site - the outdoors would do me good so I join them, still coughing slightly with a itchy throat. It's always to meet the end users, and the chef helped clear up some things. I retreat earlier to have a drink to soothe my throat, the others join me for lunch. I eat my first kolo mee in more than 3 months.

230pm and yet another meeting, this time with a client who has decided not to build. He receives our bill, which I sense is a bit higher than he expected. He will recoup his investment if/when he builds. We agree to see him at his house to design a new structure for solar panels. This time, we will not charge any design fees - a bit of give and take.

4pm - 'can you send the drawings for the planter box today?'. I must have laughed because he added '.. if you can't then I'll draw it myself, but then you might complain that it's ugly'. I get on it straight away, with Sean and Melvin's help - we decide to put it straight into the ground to NOT take up space in the already small lobby. 5pm - I text the concept drawings to him. 515pm - the drawings arrive at the site team chat group with instructions to construct over the weekend.

6pm - I receive instructions to resubmit a planning application for a small apartment project, amidst our office Korean Army Stew dinner. 

And I was thinking of having a nap at midday... 

16.7.2026 Thursday - it only takes a word

I am not 100 percent; coughing and a bit tired. Muscles are a bit achey - but the prospect of a game this evening gives me something to look forward to. I decide to have a quick lunch on my own, and as I walk out young Victor was 3D printing a model. 'how is the machine working now?' - 'it is working perfectly'. Confident answer for someone who has only started to use the printer. I like that

15.7.2026 Wednesday - a good mood

Listening to Youtube videos of Billy Joel, which Michael sent to the Thomian group. He is constantly posting music videos most of which I am not interested in. But this morning, he posted an interview with Billy Joel, which I am listening to while writing this. I decided that I will give this a try from now on. 

One benefit from the Thomian group.

14.7.2026 Tuesday - backyard pickleball

At the meeting, he challenges me to a game. Before that, he asks if I think I can beat him - definitely, I reply.  So, we show up at 6pm to have a game in his backyard, surrounded by expensive cars - it is quite amazing to see. He strains a hamstring when we play singles, so I think that there will be a re-match.

13.7.2026 Monday - food watching

It seems that we have settled on a routine of playing pickleball with the office folks on Monday. After that, we go for a simple bite to eat. The past few times we have eaten at the mamak place, so that the Muslim colleagues can join us. The team 'colleagues' is used loosely as former staff and interns join as well. Jowie is surprised that we invite the corner staff - we don't. They find out because they are in Peggy Chai's lunch time chat group. There are about 30 of them in there, many of them from as far back as several years ago. It's like Hotel California. 

I'm starting to keep a simple record of what I eat each day, to try and reduce the amount of carbohydrates. I'll report back in a month to see if there are significant results. 

 

12.7.2026 Sunday -

 

11.7.2026 Saturday - safety off

 This morning, I play pickleball without the air boot. It feel better, although I am extra careful not to lunge or jar my ankle. All goes well with Jowie as a partner, we make a good pair. (provided I do not overhit)

We meet Yoshi and June for breakfast; a big heavy for my taste but I have a simple version, and fish out the vegetable to eat with my black coffee. We have a good old chat until 11 a.m. - they are signing up for the road trip. My other meal plans with the Thomians are cancelled, so I am at a loose end for the afternoon. 

10.7.2026 Friday - nothing to worry about

Yesterday, I was concerned about losing control of some design elements in some of our projects, but as usual, it is for nothing. There is plenty of time for the designs to be refined and coordinated, my colleagues are conscientious and work hard to do this. I am learning to be calm about those things which I cannot control. 

Using the trampoline and stretching at the gym helps with my recovery, I will try playing pickleball without the boot tomorrow. It is about time. 

Years ago, Peggy created a chat group for the young people in the office to decide where to have lunch. Newcomers are added into the group, but the people who leave MWA are never removed, they stay in the chat group and randomly show up for lunch, and badminton sessions. I think this is lovely, that former colleagues still make time to catch up and have fun

 

9.7.2026 Thursday - pearls of wisdom

 

8.7.2026 Wednesday - mentors

Friends commend us for mentoring students. In truth, our mentoring begins when they enter our work space or studio as students, the mentoring continues for those who stay in touch or reach out for advice and affirmation. 

Who are my mentors? 

7.7.2026 Tuesday - feeling a little low

.. because one of the highlights of the day is off. We were going to meet about the new project but at the last minute, he postpones it by a day. It's not the end of the whole, I know but I think that he is a little disrespectful. I tell Leong I don't expect much from him on this front as I regard him as a child, so I'm not troubled by his tardiness. But I'm thinking about it, here I am writing about it.

A swim makes me feel better, though my ankle is still sore - the left one. 

RF dropped by and mentioned that she has finished her Part 2, and is moving back to Kuching. I offered to reach out to a friend who is looking to employ a Part 2 Graduate

6.7.2026 Monday - to the library and then the airport

 

5.7.2026 Sunday - Taoyuan Land Art design conference

 

4.7.2026 Saturday - Luce Chapel, Taichung

 

3.7.2026 Friday - back to Uni

 

2.7.2026 Thursday - Taoyuan Land Art Festival dress rehearsal

 

1.7.2026 Wednesday - Kuching to Taoyuan

We leave at 530 a.m. and arrive at 210 p.m. Puo Chun meet us with tumblers of iced local tea. He packs us up in his car and take us to the project site, and several others as well. Later that evening, he kindly drives us to Taipei, an hour away to our little hotel in the XiMenDing mall. Sam buys Si Yong a large can of Strong Zero after which the conversation gets louder and covers a wider range of topics.

I am here for the fellowship, with this team of Sarawakians and also with Eric's larger group of friends. I am aware that this might well be the final 'study-related' visit to Taiwan, as our friends' priorities change and locations shift. It is also nice to experience traveling with younger people; Fiona especially whom Sam teasingly calls 'ah-girl' during the trip.

30.6.2026 Tuesday - patience (I work, they play)

Yoshi said to me when we first met - to do architecture well, one needs talent. "Patience' - I corrected him.  My patience is tested frequently; clients are demanding, lazy and fickle-minded; colleagues are indecisive, slow to respond and dreaming.  But not daily, and no one is rude or un-reasonable to my me or my team. And most of the issues are solvable - so I am grateful:

1. to have more demanded of me (and my team) to arrive at a better solution. There is plenty of time spent but when the efficiency goes from 72% to 80% - it is time well spent. 
2. to have a chance to work on a problem and solve it, there is a small sense of achievement especially when one of our team outdoes me in giving a solution. 
3. to be useful, and continue a conversation with someone who might be helpful to us in the long run. I realise that it is easier to arrive at an understanding if my tone is friendly (even when I don't feel friendly)

So, nowadays I learn to take a deep breath and don't respond immediately - let it sit for a while; a couple of hours or day. And when there is nothing bothering you, release the information and then call them for a chat, and for him to ask question.

This lunch time, everyone is away for a long lunch giving Ricco a good send off.

29.6.2026 Monday - new beginnings

During our office meeting, RS tells everyone that he is leaving us, and will start his Part 2 in September. He will leave in a couple of days' time to help mom with her shops (she is closing them down). I offer the office to him - for the library, for review sessions, to use the printer or simply to have lunch. I think it is important to end chapters like this with care and foresight - it is good to keep doors open. He might not return as an employee but the mentoring can continue.  

This evening is our first office pickleball session, everyone seem to have lots of fun. We will make this a regular thing - including the meal afterwards. 

28.6.2026 Sunday - a long walk followed by a swim

It is funny what one gets up to when there is nothing to do. I walk to PD (45minutes) for a swim (45minutes) after which Sean and I have a late breakfast. I am eating less starch after CW says that I have gained weight. 

27.6.2026 Saturday - re-connecting

 

Sam is in KL to spend mom's one-year death anniversary with dad; Sara and Val went with her for the (better and fun) company. Sam tells me that dad has been testy and easily triggered, the new maid is shy but diligent, and hum as she works. I think Sam does it for her own peace of mind, rather than for anyone else. 

While she is away, Sean and I spend more meal times together. I spend more time at work, I don't like to be at home when she is not around. As a distraction, I accepted a lunch offer with CW - good to catch up after 9 months of missing each other. 

I spend the rest of the time listening to music on our new tv.

26.6.2026 Friday - going back to school

 A few weeks ago, I asked him if he had thought about his plans to do his Master degree. Yesterday, he tells me his plans to continue his studies in September. I think it is a good decision for both parties; he needs a fresh page to start a new chapter and stepping away is a good move. 

Val, the happy child

Yesterday, I contacted a client and he tells me that his hold up was due to land matters, and that the project cost can be managed. So in principle, the project will proceed once the land matter is resolved. I am relieved because I had a vague notion that he had changed his mind, or worse still had engaged someone else to do it (someone cheaper, he was complaining about our fees). 

25.6.2026 Thursday - time to have lunch

Over our lunch with Mr. Lai who is leaving his current company (a property developer; our client) - we talk about the people who has worked on our recently completed project (a serviced apartment complex) and I jokingly say that there are a few whom I would not consider having lunch with. It is one thing to work with them; it is a transactional relationship - we do what we are paid to do, during which our time is paid for by the client. It is another thing to consider having lunch and spending personal time with them; that is a personal relationship - and I has rather not waste good time with people who are not sincere.

TY joins us for lunch, mid-way through it he sends me a photo of Mei-ling as he promised months ago - for me to include on our 'alumni' page on our website.

After lunch - O. Tan texts me about submitting an article for BAJ, I suggests a few extras to enhance the readability of his piece. He asks why we agreed to cross link platforms with PAM's national magazine Architecture Malaysia (AM) - I explain. But I sense he is hoping for a different answer; I tell him I linked with AM to achieve wider readership, and that AM invited BAJ, and that I regarded the invitation as a compliment to BAJ. I won't be having lunch with him any time soon.

In the evening, Sean and I go for dinner, during which he suggested that he wants to get mom a new tv. He buys two tvs, and I buy two sound bars for our respectively homes. 

24.6.2026 Wednesday - a light touch

 

23.6.2026 Tuesday - parenting Part 2

 When our parents get older, the roles are reversed - we become the parents; worrying about the well-being, nagging about taking meds, about taking care. It is harder for Sam as she is away from Dad in PJ. Today he fell down while trying out pickleball, she is contacted when the games organiser is unable to rouse sis-in-law. Luckily he is fine, a kind soul drove him to the medical centre, at which time they were able to rouse the other daughter who arrives in time to relay a nice message to the family chat group. I am troubled for the rest of the evening by the breezy and slightly flippant tone of the message. 

Luckily Sean buys us tickets to a Teochew movie, which was able to lift my spirits.

22.6.2026 Monday - parenting

It is interesting to see Sara and Rudy fuss and carry on about their puppies; Bear2 and Mon(roe). Mini-parenting in action; good to have responsibilities and for someone or something to depend on you. 

 

21.6.2026 Sunday - Father's Day

Today starts like a typical Sunday for a couple who has been married for more than three decades - we go market shopping (for fish and a pumpkin; for tonight's dinner). But instead of the usual breakfast at a kopitiam, Sam and I go for a hit of pickleball first. Until she got hungry, about an hour later. 

Today is Father's Day, there isn't a great deal of fuss - I don't encourage these types of celebrations. They are so fake. I appreciate that my children wish the best for me, and do their best for me when I ask for help. And that's enough. 

I rarely ask for help, what I'm able to manage without troubling them stays with me. I don't usually complain, there's no need cloud their day especially if the problem has gone away. Perhaps after a long time has passed, I might talk about it if I feel there is a lesson to be gained by recollecting a problem or situation or a person's behaviour.